But Maui is no hidden gem—it's the second most-visited Hawaiian island, and you'll have to do some work to find tropical solitude. Still, Maui's beauty and the mix of different areas make it a good choice. Regardless of where you're staying, the entire island can be seen in a series of day trips.

Most Maui hotels and resorts line the leeward, dry western shores of the island in West Maui and South Maui. The majority of the island's visitors stay there. Beyond the perimeters of the beautiful resort areas, however, the rest of Maui is open for exploration.